Catching Up on Old News

.

First off, here's the picture of the day. This small tree juts out of the side of Kitchen Mesa, which we see every day. It's a huge striated block of rock that pretty much dominates its' surroundings.


Now on to catching up on old news . . .

Remember a while back when we were in San Antonio, New Mexico and we spent two days at Manny's Buckhorn Tavern?

The first day the Food Network was shooting at the restaurant (you can read about it here), and the next day was a Throwdown with Bobby Flay?

We've just learned that it is going to be aired on July 22nd (and again on July 23rd and again on August 2nd). We're really excited and just wanted to let all of you know, in case you might want to watch.

On to other things . . .

Regular readers may remember the wonderful female figure I bought when we visited the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo for their Feast Day. If not, you can read abut it here.

I promised to tell you the story of the figure. I've since heard from Dinah (the sculptor) and, with her permission, here's the story of the Wood Gatherer.

"The wood gatherer story is our fire story. It was my favorite bed time story and my inspiration behind the making of this piece.

The story goes that when man and woman were created, they were sitting talking together and the woman heard an animal noise. She stated that she wished she had something to protect them from the wild animals. The man in the meantime was saying he was cold and hungry. He wished for something to get rid of these feelings.

The Great Spirit overheard their conversation and told the man and woman that both their wishes would be granted if they would follow the instructions given to them.

The woman was told to go the river and gather dry grass and twiggs and return to the place she started. The man was told to go to a place in the Jemez mountains (which we now call Obisidian Ridge), and gather four stones the size of his fist and return to the place he started from.

When they both got there the woman was told to make a pile of the wood with the dry grass and the man was told to sit across from the woman and strike the stones together.

Thus a spark started and fire was created.

Both were told that their wishes had been granted. Now they could keep warm, cook food and protect themselves with the fire.

Enjoy the story.

Dinah Baca"

I thought you might want to see a picture of how I've chosen to display this little beauty, so here she is (including the dust on all the surrounding figures).

I see her and enjoy her every day.